Resettable timer-alarm device used in monitoring geriatric patients

ABSTRACT

An alarm device for use in geriatrics, medical care etc., including a timing device, one or more actuating units and an alarm device. The actuating unit for the timing device consists of one or more operating units, each of which is connected to an object in the surroundings of the patient but is not attached to the person of the patient. The object is used in a routine and more or less regular manner by the patient in the course of daily existence, and is thus given a movement which actuates the attached operating unit.

United States Patent Bergstrom et al.

RESETTABLE TIMER-ALARM DEVICE USED IN MONITORING GERIATRIC PATIENTSInventors: Sten R. Bergstrom, Uppsala; Ake

Dahlgren, Lidingo; Kjell Roos, Uppsala, all of Sweden Assignee: KonsultAB Gerontologia, Lidingo,

Sweden Filed: Feb. 9, 1973 Appl. No.: 331,253

Foreign Application Priority Data June 5, 1972 Sweden 7323/72 US. Cl.340/279; 340/3091; 58/21.1 Int. Cl, G08b 21/00 Field of Search 340/279,306, 309.1, 309.4;

451 May 20, 1975 1,942,814 1/1934 Hopkins 340/306 2,275,981 3/1942Muehter 340/306 2,298,840 10/1942 Purcell 340/306 3,104,386 9/1963K1ein....... 340/3001 3,631,446 12/1971 Setser 340/279 PrimaryExaminer.lohn W. Caldwell Assistant ExaminerWi11iam M. WanniskyAttorney, Agent, or Firm-Silverman & Cass, Ltd.

[57] ABSTRACT An alarm device for use in geriatrics, medical care etc.,including a timing device, one or more actuating units and an alarmdevice. The actuating unit for the timing device consists of one or moreoperating units, each of which is connected to an object in thesurroundings 0f the patient but is not attached to the person of thepatient. The object is used in a routine and more or less regular mannerby the patient in the course of daily existence, and is thus given amovement which actuates the attached operating unit.

7 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures RESETTABLE TIMER-ALARM DEVICE USED INMONITORING GERIATRIC PATIENTS This invention relates to an alarm deviceto be installed, for instance, in flats, and especially those where oldpeople live on their own. One tragic problem which receives muchattention in society concerns the deaths which have several timesoccurred in the homes of those living on their own and which have notbeen discovered for a very long time, in some cases several months. Thesame applies to elderly people living on their own who quickly becomeafflicted with an illness that makes them bewildered or paralysed andmakes it difficult or impossible for them to contact those living nearbyfor help. This problem has the same degree of urgency for civicorganisations and for the individual, and causes a lot of worry andanxiety, particularly among the old.

The problem which this invention has solved is of a complex nature, anda number of factors are of significance for the successful solution ofthe invention. The invention has also been considered, after verycomprehensive investigations, from the technical, medical andgerontological points of view. This interdisciplinary examination of theinvention has shown that it is a fundamental functional property of theinvention that it does not perpetuate the predicament of the people inwhose homes it is installed.

It has been known previously in geriatrics to make use of a device whichcomprises an alarm device for the emission of a signal, for instancewhen a person not under continuous surveillance, hereinafter referred toas the patient, has suffered a reduction in his normal functionalcapability, for instance his mobility, and a timing device which, whenit remains unactuated by one or more actuating units which form part ofthe device, brings the alarm device into operation after a predeterminedperiod of time. The actuating unit in this known device is a transmitterwhich is carried by the patient and emits impulses to the timing devicewhen the patient performs movements, and thereby sets the timing deviceinto an initial position, but ceases to emit impulses when thesemovements stop and allows the timing device to pass from the saidinitial position into a terminal position, in which an alarm device isput into operation. The drawback of this device is that it requires thepatient to remember to carry the transmitter at all times and to performmovements during the said period of time, since otherwise a false alarmmay be given.

This drawback is avoided by a constructional version in accordance withthis invention. An alarm device for use in geriatrics, medical care,etc., which, as mentioned above, comprises a timing device, one or moreactuating units and an alarm device, is characterised in accordance withthis invention by the fact that the actuating unit for the timing deviceconsists of one or more operating units, each of which is connected toan object in the surroundings of the patient and is not attached to theperson of the patient, which object is used in a routine and more orless regular manner by the patient in the course of daily existence, andis thus given a movement which actuates the attached operating unit.

The invention is described below in greater detail by reference to theattached drawings and examples,

which are not, however, intended to constitute a limitation of the scopeof the invention.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show plans of a two-room and fourroom flat respectively inwhich an alarm device in accordance with the invention has beeninstalled,

FIG. 3 shows diagrammatically an example of the construction of thealarm device.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show an entrance 1 to the flat in question, a hall 2, alavatory 3, a bathroom 4 and a combined lavatory and bathroom 5, and abedroom 6.

The alarm device in accordance with the invention comprises a timingdevice A, one or more associated actuating units B, an alarm device Cand one or more alarm release units D which can be actuated manually.

The components A-D are placed in the flat in ques tion, for instance inthe positions indicated by the arrows in FIGS. 1 and 2, inasmuch as thetiming device A is placed on a wall in the hall 2 and is electricallyconnected to the actuating unit B which serves to zero the timing deviceA and is placed in a lavatory or bathroom 3-5 and is actuated every timethe patient makes use of the room in question. The alarm device (C)which emits a sound or light signal is placed at the entrance 1, forinstance at the position where the bell push is fitted. In addition, oneor more alarm release units D are connected to the alarm device C, eachof which units is placed, for instance, near a bed in one or morebedrooms 6, so that the alarm device C may be put into operationindependently of the self-regulating devices A and B.

In accordance with the constructional version shown diagrammatically inFIG. 3 as an example, which version may be energised by signal currentor power current, the alarm device comprises a synchronous clock 11 withan output shaft 12 that rotates once every 24 hours. On the shaft 12there is mounted a clutch plate 13 and parallel to this there is asimilar clutch plate 14 carried by a shaft 15. The latter clutch plate14 can be moved into or out of contact with the first clutch plate 13. Acoil spring 16 presses the plate 14 onto the plate 13, with the resultthat the plate 14 rotates together with the plate 13 which is driven bythe synchronous clock 11. On the driven plate 14 there is a pointer 17which, when the plate 14 has made one revolution, makes contact with aswitch 18, whereupon the circuit is closed so that an alarm device 19incorporating sound and light signals is brought into operation.

Coaxially with the shaft 15 there is fitted an electromagnet 20, in thecircuit of which there is a switch 21 which is placed, for instance, incombination with the light switch in the lavatory or bathroom, andcloses the circuit of the electromagnet 20 when the light is switched onin the lavatory or bathroom, so that the electromagnet withdraws theclutch plate 14 from the clutch plate 13. The coil spring 16 isconstructed to serve as a return spring by fixing one of its ends inposition and attaching the other end to the clutch plate 14, with theresult that the coil spring 16 is able to rotate backwards the plate 14which has been released from the plate 13, so that the pointer 17 isreturned to the initial position and the alarm system is zeroed. Theswitch 21 is constructed in such a way that it supplies current to theelectromagnet 20 for a time which is suf ficient for the pointer 17 toget back completely into its initial position. The switch 18 can be setat different distances from the initial position of the pointer 17, sothat the desired alarm interval may be obtained over a range from topractically 24 hours. In the circuit of the alarm device 19 there is aswitch 22 capable of manual actuation which is to be placed by the bedof the patient so that he can reach it easily. The whole alarm systemmay be turned off by means of a master switch 23.

The device must be such that when the master switch is actuated, whetherthis is done to switch off the alarm device or to switch it on, thetiming device is zeroed, so that after every switching-on of the alarmdevice, the whole length of time set on the timing device must elapsebefore the alarm may be set off. There is other wise a risk that a falsealarm may be given since, when switching on, the time remaining on thetiming device might be so short that there is no certainty that one ofthe routine actions carried out by the patient, which action will zerothe timing device, will occur.

Where a patient who has an alarm device in accordance with thisinvention is away for a longer period from the flat where the alarmdevice is installed, for instance because of a journey, it is best ifthe patient turns off the alarm device by the master switch beforeleaving. There is however a risk that the patient, on his return, willforget to switch the device on again. In order to reduce or eliminatethis risk, there may be a device which causes the alarm device to beautomatically switched on when the patient performs a con scious orunconscious, routine action within a compar atively short time after hisarrival, for instance when he works a switch in a lavatory or similarroom. In order to eliminate the risk that such a device will causeunintentional switching-on of the alarm device when the patient, afterswitching off but before the actual departure, unintentionally performsthe said routine action, the master switch may be connected to a delayunit of some kind which will put the said device for automaticswitching-on into a serviceable state only after some time, for instancethirty minutes, had elapsed since switching off. The said delay devicemay be a clock which is started by an electric signal from the masterswitch and which, after the said delay period, prepares the closure of afeeder circuit to the said device for au tomatie switching-on.

It will be evident without further elucidation that the components l1l8and 20 shown in FIG. 3 are comprised in the timing device A in FIGS. 1and 2, that component 21 corresponds to the actuating device B, thatcomponent 19 corresponds to the alarm device C and that component 22corresponds to the alarm release device D.

The impulse which is used to zero the alarm device, i.e. to cause theclutch plate 14 to assume its initial position, can be triggered offelectrically or manually or by sound waves. The actuating unit may, forits releasing action, be combined with a switch in different pieces ofapparatus in the flat, such as the lighting circuit, radio sets,television sets, electric cooker, household appliances.

An alarm device in accordance with the invention may be used forsurveillance purposes other than those in geriatrics or medical care.Examples of such surveillance are night surveillance of industries,offices and other installations and military surveillance of differentkinds. In such surveillance it is usual for a watchman to make certaindefinite rounds through the installation at certain definite times. Thewatchman must then pass certain given points where he actuates a timeclock which records that he was there at that time. The watchman has aspecial key which he uses to work the clock or to open a cupboard inwhich the clock is kept.

In accordance with this invention. such a surveillance installation maycomprise a timing device and an alarm device. Each point which thewatchman passes need not be provided with a clock but may have a contactunit that is actuated by the watchman on his round, and thereby causesthe central timing device to be zeroed. The time taken between such azeroing operation and the zeroing operation at the next point. accordingto the time table which the watchman must observe, must naturally be alittle shorter than the time taken by the timing device, after such azeroing operation, to release the alarm. Owing to the fact that thedistances between different points may be different and the time tableof the watchman may therefore be fairly irregular, the setting time ofthe timing device, i.e. the time taken for the timing device to releasethe alarm after a zeroing operation, must be of different lengthsdepending on the point from which zeroing is carried out. This may forinstance be accomplished in such a way that the rotating actuating unitof the zeroing device (the clutch plate 14 in the constructional versionshown) is zeroed against different stops, depending on the point fromwhich zeroing is performed. At each point, therefore, the operationcomprises the closing of a common circuit (the one through theelectromagnet 20 in the constructional version shown) in order toaccomplish the zeroing operation, and also the closing of a circuit (notshown) which is individual to the point and which causes a stop (notshown) to be introduced into the path of the pointer 17 during itszeroing movement, and thus causes a time setting to take place, whichsetting is individually adapted to the time required until the nextzeroing operation at the next point.

Instead of using a key, it must be possible for zeroing to beaccomplished by the watchmans actuating the operating unit by means of aspecial code that only he knows. A key may be lost or stolen.

One of the advantages of the use of this invention for surveillancepurposes of the type outlined above would be that an alarm isautomatically given if the watch man, for instance owing to some act ofviolence, is put out of action on his journey from one point to another.If, however, the intruder should take from the watchman the key to thezeroing unit, he would be able to cause zeroing to take place so thatthe alarm is not given. This is prevented by the use of a code insteadof a key.

We claim:

1. A device for use in geriatrics, medical care, and the like for theemission of a signal, for instance when a person not under continuoussurveillance, hereinafter referred to as the patient, has suffered areduction in his normal functional capabilities, for instance his mobility, comprising:

a. a timing device for continuous operation through a time cycle of apredetermined length,

b. an alarm device operatively connected with said timing device,

c. means releasably coupled to said timing device and having an initialposition, for triggering an alarm by the alarm device at the end of saidlength of time,

d. a plurality of switch means for releasing the coupling of saidtriggering means to said timing device,

e. means for restoring the coupling between the triggering means and thetiming device, including means for automatically resetting thetriggering means into the initial position,

. each of said switch means being connected to an object in thesurroundings of the patient, said object being in daily routine use bythe patient, and said switch means being unattached to the person ofsaid patient, and

g. wherein said device is used for surveillance, for instance during thenight, of industries, military installations or other installationswhere a watchman checks certain points along his patrol route, whereineach point comprises said switch means connected to the timing device inparallel, causing the triggering means to return to the initial positionwhen the watchman performs the checking operation.

2. A device for use in geriatrics, medical care, and the like for theemission of a signal, for instance when a person not under continuoussurveillance, hereinafter referred to as the patient, has suffered areduction in his normal functional capabilities, for instance hismobility, comprising:

a. a timing device for continuous operation through a time cycle of apredetermined length,

b. an alarm device operatively connected with said timing device,

0. means releasably coupled to said timing device and having an initialposition, for triggering an alarm by the alarm device at the end of saidlength of time,

d. a plurality of switch means for releasing the coupling of saidtriggering means to said timing device,

e. means for restoring the coupling between the triggering means and thetiming device, including means for automatically resetting thetriggering means into the initial position,

. each of said switch means being connected to an object in thesurroundings of the patient, said object being in daily routine use bythe patient, and said switch means being unattached to the person ofsaid patient,

g. said timing device comprising a synchronous clock having (1) anoutput shaft; (2) a first clutch plate integrally connected with saidoutput shaft; and (3) means causing the first clutch plate to rotatesuch as to make one revolution every twenty-four hours,

h. said triggering means comprising (1) a second clutch plate; (2) meansfor moving the second clutch plate into contact with the first clutchplate; (3) a pointer fastened to the second clutch plate; and (4) aswitch in the alarm device circuit con structed to be closed and openedby said pointer; and

. said means for moving the second clutch plate into contact with thefirst clutch plate comprising a coil spring disposed adjacent the secondclutch plate, said coil spring constructed to urge the second clutchplate to rotate back into its initial position.

3. The device as set forth in claim 2 including means for moving thesecond clutch plate out of contact with the first clutch platecomprising an electromagnet being in electric series connection withsaid switch means.

4. A device for use in geriatrics, medical care, and the like for theemission of a signal, for instance when a person not under continuoussurveillance, hereinafter referred to as the patient, has suffered areduction in his normal functional capabilities, for instance hismobility, comprising:

a. a timing device for continuous operation through a time cycle of apredetermined length,

b. an alarm device operatively connected with said timing device,

c. means releasably coupled to said timing device and having an initialposition, for triggering an alarm by the alarm device at the end of saidlength of time,

d. a plurality of switch means in the living quarters of the patient forreleasing the coupling of said triggering means to said timing device,

e. spring means for restoring the coupling between the triggering meansand the timing device subsequent to the releasing of the coupling andfor automatically resetting the triggering means into the initialposition, and

f. each of said switch means being connected to an object in said livingquarters, at least one of said objects comprising a switch in anelectric appliance being in daily routine use by the patient, and saidswitch means being unattached to the person of said patient.

5. The device as set forth in claim 7 including at least one means foractuating the alarm device directly, said actuating means comprising anelectric switch directly manually operable for closing a circuit for thealarm device.

6. The device as set forth in claim 4 comprising a master switch in thecircuit of the alarm device for manually turning off the alarm device bysaid person, including means for restoring the triggering means to itsinitial position.

7. The device as set forth in claim 4 in which the timing devicecomprises a synchronous clock having an output shaft driven thereby, afirst clutch plate integrally connected with said output shaft androtating therewith, said output shaft and first clutch rotating onerevolution every 24 hours, and the triggering means comprises a secondclutch plate spaced axially from said first clutch plate, means formoving the second clutch plate axially into driven contact with thefirst clutch plate, a pointer fastened to the second clutch plate, and aswitch in the alarm device circuit in proximity to the second clutchplate and adapted to be closed and opened by said pointer.

1. A device for use in geriatrics, medical care, and the like for theemission of a signal, for instance when a person not under continuoussurveillance, hereinafter referred to as the patient, has suffered areduction in his normal functional capabilities, for instance hismobility, comprising: a. a timing device for continuous operationthrough a time cycle of a predetermined length, b. an alarm deviceoperatively connected with said timing device, c. means releasablycoupled to said timing device and having an initial position, fortriggering an alarm by the alarm device at the end of said length oftime, d. a plurality of switch means for releasing the coupling of saidtriggering means to said timing device, e. means for restoring thecoupling between the triggering means and the timing device, includingmeans for automatically resetting the triggering means into the initialposition, f. each of said switch means being connected to an object inthe surroundings of the patient, said object being in daily routine useby the patient, and said switch means being unattached to the person ofsaid patient, and g. wherein said device is used for surveillance, forinstance during the night, of industries, military installations orother installations where a watchman checks certain points along hispatrol route, wherein each point comprises said switch means connectedto the timing device in parallel, causing the triggering means to returnto the initial position when the watchman performs the checkingoperation.
 2. A device for use in geriatrics, medical care, and the likefor the emission of a signal, for instance when a person not undercontinuous surveillance, hereinafter referred to as The patient, hassuffered a reduction in his normal functional capabilities, for instancehis mobility, comprising: a. a timing device for continuous operationthrough a time cycle of a predetermined length, b. an alarm deviceoperatively connected with said timing device, c. means releasablycoupled to said timing device and having an initial position, fortriggering an alarm by the alarm device at the end of said length oftime, d. a plurality of switch means for releasing the coupling of saidtriggering means to said timing device, e. means for restoring thecoupling between the triggering means and the timing device, includingmeans for automatically resetting the triggering means into the initialposition, f. each of said switch means being connected to an object inthe surroundings of the patient, said object being in daily routine useby the patient, and said switch means being unattached to the person ofsaid patient, g. said timing device comprising a synchronous clockhaving (1) an output shaft; (2) a first clutch plate integrallyconnected with said output shaft; and (3) means causing the first clutchplate to rotate such as to make one revolution every twenty-four hours,h. said triggering means comprising (1) a second clutch plate; (2) meansfor moving the second clutch plate into contact with the first clutchplate; (3) a pointer fastened to the second clutch plate; and (4) aswitch in the alarm device circuit constructed to be closed and openedby said pointer; and i. said means for moving the second clutch plateinto contact with the first clutch plate comprising a coil springdisposed adjacent the second clutch plate, said coil spring constructedto urge the second clutch plate to rotate back into its initialposition.
 3. The device as set forth in claim 2 including means formoving the second clutch plate out of contact with the first clutchplate comprising an electromagnet being in electric series connectionwith said switch means.
 4. A device for use in geriatrics, medical care,and the like for the emission of a signal, for instance when a personnot under continuous surveillance, hereinafter referred to as thepatient, has suffered a reduction in his normal functional capabilities,for instance his mobility, comprising: a. a timing device for continuousoperation through a time cycle of a predetermined length, b. an alarmdevice operatively connected with said timing device, c. meansreleasably coupled to said timing device and having an initial position,for triggering an alarm by the alarm device at the end of said length oftime, d. a plurality of switch means in the living quarters of thepatient for releasing the coupling of said triggering means to saidtiming device, e. spring means for restoring the coupling between thetriggering means and the timing device subsequent to the releasing ofthe coupling and for automatically resetting the triggering means intothe initial position, and f. each of said switch means being connectedto an object in said living quarters, at least one of said objectscomprising a switch in an electric appliance being in daily routine useby the patient, and said switch means being unattached to the person ofsaid patient.
 5. The device as set forth in claim 7 including at leastone means for actuating the alarm device directly, said actuating meanscomprising an electric switch directly manually operable for closing acircuit for the alarm device.
 6. The device as set forth in claim 4comprising a master switch in the circuit of the alarm device formanually turning off the alarm device by said person, including meansfor restoring the triggering means to its initial position.
 7. Thedevice as set forth in claim 4 in which the timing device comprises asynchronous clock having an output shaft driven thereby, a first clutchplate integrally connected with said output shaft and rotatIngtherewith, said output shaft and first clutch rotating one revolutionevery 24 hours, and the triggering means comprises a second clutch platespaced axially from said first clutch plate, means for moving the secondclutch plate axially into driven contact with the first clutch plate, apointer fastened to the second clutch plate, and a switch in the alarmdevice circuit in proximity to the second clutch plate and adapted to beclosed and opened by said pointer.